Press Release: ATJ calls upon Beijing to allow free media in Tibet

Dharamsala -- The Association of Tibetan
journalists (ATJ) today called on the government
of the Peoples Republic of China to allow
independent journalists to visit Tibet.

Xinhua reported on March 29 that China will open
Tibet to foreigners in April, 2009. "We hope that
China will also allow Tibetan journalists from
overseas and the foreign journalists to do
independent reporting in Tibet including the
areas that have witnessed sporadic protests since March 2008.

Tashi Wangchuk, president of the ATJ, said that
China has allowed only a handful of journalists
to Tibet under some strictly monitored tours
since last March when Tibet reeled under heavy
military crackdown following protests across the
plateau which has been virtually under martial law since then.

"Through strict control on telephone, internet
and cellular services China tries to block the
flow of information to the outside world. Yet,
stories of brutalities, protests and arrests
reach the outside world through undisclosed
channels. It is difficult to obtain information and verify them.

The Tibetan journalists group also condemned the
arrests of Kunga Tsangyang, Golok Jigme, Kunchok
Tsephel, Dhodup Wangchen, Jamyang Kyi and many
others, who have just exercised their literary
freedom through blogs, poems, articles, essays
etc. ATJ demands their immediate release.